Safety apparatus for window cleaners



Oct. 26,1926.

L. J. KTELS EY AFE'I'Y APPARATUS FOR WINDOW CLEANERS Filed Nov. 1, 1924 2 Sheeis-Sheet 1 I Ltf/Yb INVENTOR A'ITORNEY .Oct. 26, 1926.

- 1,604,916 L. J. KELSEY SAFETY APPARATUS FOR WINDOW CLEANERS Filed Nov. 1-1, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENVTOR A1TORNEY Patented Oct. 26, 1926.

tlltlt'lfffi STTS LOUIS J. KELSEY, OF GEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA.

SAFETY APPARATUS FOR WINDOW CLEANERS.

Application filed November 11, 1924. Serial No. 749,272.

The object of my present invention isthe provision of simple, efficient and easily applied means for guarding windowcleaners and the like against falls.

To the attainment of the foregoing, the invention consists in the improvement as hereinafter described and definitely claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification:-

Figure l is a view showing my apparatus complete in use. Figure 2 is a similar view showing the platform of the apparatus as adjusted to bear on an outwardly extending projection of a wall with the chain and supporting legs omitted.

Figure 3 is a view showing in plan the platform and the looped strap of the ap paratus.

Figure 4. is a detail hereinafter explicitly referred to.

Figure 5 is a detail vertical section showing the manner in which the looped strap can be used in connection with a window sash when said strap is disassociated from the platform.

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective showing the detachable connection of the strap to the platform.

Similar numerals of reference designate corresponding parts in all of the views of the drawings.

I show in Figure 1 a wall 1 having a window opening 2 with sliding sashes 3 therein and I also show the window opening 2 as provided with a sill l.

In Figure 2 the wall 1 is shown as provided with a window opening and a s1ll 4: and also with an outwardly extending projection 5 disposed immediately under the sill 4.

Among other elements my novel apparatus comprises a platform 6, longitudinally slotted at 7.

My novel apparatus also comprises recessed blocks 9 connected together by a cross bar 9*, a bolt 10, a transverse brace bar 11, preferably of metal, fixedly connected to the blocks 9 and connected by the bolt 10 to the platform 6, and a wing nut 12. The brace bar 11 also serves for the convenient connection of chains 13 which are connected at their lower ends to supports 14 hingedly connected at 15 to the platform 6. At its inner end the platform 6 has fixed thereto a I pendent hook 16 which preferably extends throughout the width-of the platform 6 and is designed to engage the inner portion of the window sill 4- in the manner shown in Figures 1 and 2. outer portion, the platform 6 has fixed with respect thereto a recessed block 17 which is recessed to co-act with the recesses of the blocks 9 in the manner as suggested in Figure 2 of the drawings. Manifestly when the and may then be conveniently moved thr-ough I the window opening 2.

In the arrangement shown in Figure 1, the outer portion of the platform 6 is strongly supported by the adjustable fixing of the blocks 9 against the sill 4, and the bearing of the supports 14: against the outer side of the wall 1 at a point below the window opening 2, and when the outer portion of the platform 6 is so supported and the portion 16 is engaged with the window sill 4 there is ob viously no liability of the platform falling when a window cleaner is positioned thereon as shown by dotted lines in Figure. 1.

In both arrangements, Figures 1 and 2, the blocks 9 are adjustably fixed to snugly fit against the outer edge of the sill 1 with the result that said blocks 9 contribute materially to the security of the fasteningof the platform 6; also, in both arrangements the blocks 9 must be loosened and moved outwardly precedent to the disengagement of the portion 16 from sill 4:.

In the practical use of my improvement, after use of the apparatus the operator slides ofi the platform 6, and then reaches out through the window opening and raises the outer end of the platform 6, and when the said platform is raised sufficiently high to enable the blocks 9 to clear the window sill l, the operator moves the complete apparatus toward him through the window open ing, and the apparatus is then in position to be carried to and used at another window opening.

In Figure 1, I show the operator by dot- At the underside of its scribed in detail may be depended upon to I preclude a fall of the operator off the platform 6.

At its forward end the platform 6 is provided with. eyes in parallelism, and in the said eyes 20 is removably arranged the stem 21 of a removable connector, the said connector comprising in addition to the stem 21 a curvilinear resilient tongue 22 which is joined to the heel end of the stem 21 and has a terminal portion 23 which normally rests against or adjacent to the forward end of the stem 21 with a view to precluding casual removal of the stem 21 from the eyes 20. When, however, the portion 23 of the tongue 22 is moved away from the forward end portion of the stem 21 the said. stem may be withdrawn fronrthe eyes 20. By virtue of this the looped strap 2st, Figures 1, 3, 5 and 6 may be readily disconnected from the said platform 6. When disconnected from the platform 6 as stated the looped strap 24; may be arranged with its hook 25 in engagement with one of the sashes 3 in the manner shown in Figure 5. The strap 2% is looped about the stem 21, and receives in its loop an eye 26 at the ieel end of the hoolr 25. It will also be noted that the strap 24 is provided with a buckle 27 to permit of its being readily adjusted to surround the bodies of window cleaners of different sizes.

hen the strap 24: is anchored to the platform 6 as shown in Figures 1, 3 and 6 and also when said strap is anchored to one of the sashes 8 as shown in Figure 5, the strap may be depend-ed upon to prevent a window cleaner from toppling off the platform 6.

In both of the arrangements described the safety strap 24 is centrally fastened which is advantageous in that the operator can move his body from one side of the window to the other, and the safety belt does not interfere with his movements and is always tight.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that my novel apparatus is simple in construction and: reliable in use, and that it is well adapted as a whole to *ithstand the usage to which apparatus of corresponding character is ordinarily subjected.

I have specifically described the preferred embodiment of my invention in order to impart an exact understanding of said embodiment. I do not desire, however, to be understood as confining myself to the structure disclosed inasmuch as the scope of my invention is defined by my appended claim within which changes may be made without departure from my invention.

Having described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

In a safety apparatus for window cleaners, a slotted platform, recessed blocks depending from the opposite longitudinal side edges thereof, a transverse brace bar secured to the inner side edges ofsaid blocks, an adjustable fastening element passing through said slot and said brace bar respectively whereby said blocks are mounted for longitudinal adjustment with respect to the platform andto the outer side of a window sill, and a recessed block depending from the outer end of the platform and the recess thereof being adapted to co-act' with the recesses of the blocks first mentioned.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

LQUIS J. KELSEY. 

